19 Things Every Cali Native Misses When They’re Out of State

This makes us regret ever leaving California.

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For those blessed to be born in the Golden State, it’s almost easy to take all we have for granted. Other than the picture perfect beaches and the perpetually sunny weather, we’re also blessed with some of the greatest food on the planet. TBH California eating is a way of life. But some of us wander on off for college or for job opportunities, and realize what we’re leaving behind only when its too late.

We’re here to cry with you over all of the things we’re missing out on while we’re out of state, and for a reminder of the essentials next time we get to visit the homeland. #westcoastbestcoast

1. Avocado on Everything

Photo by Amanda Shulman

I mean, yes, you can technically get avocado anywhere in the US. But can you get more avocados than you can possibly eat because your neighbor had extra from their farm? Probably not.

2. Açai Bowls

Photo courtesy of Lucy Cheng

Smoothie bowls are never as good anywhere else. With SoCal chains like the Malibu-based Sunlife Organics, the Santa Barbara-famous Backyard Bowls and basically anywhere in Encinitas, you’re basically guaranteed a satisfying acai bowl wherever you go.

3. California Burritos

Photo by Dyan Khor

These made it onto San Diego’s 31 things to eat before you dielist for a reason — it’s a SoCal classic. Because fries in a burrito is pure genius, and the rest of country hasn’t seem to caught on yet.

4. Green Juice

Photo by Angie Oo

Thank God the rest of the US is catching onto this trend. But seriously, no one does it better than CA, and tbh, LA is probably the only place in the US where 1) you won’t be judged sipping your green juice and 2) you’ll find amazing juice places on every block.

6. Fish Tacos

What do you eat after a long day of surfing? Nothing but fish tacos. Nobody in the country can do it like CA does.

7. Breakfast Burritos

Photo courtesy of Yelp

If you haven’t noticed, we’re all about those burritos. In all forms. Who needs a breakfast sandwich when you can have it wrapped up in a burrito instead?

8. Brunch Every Day

Photo by Kathleen Kennedy

We tried to go out to brunch on a Thursday morning in Boston and realized that no other state does brunch every day. A sad story, but a true one. They don’t know what they’re missing out on.

9. Authentic Mexican Food

Photo by Dyan Khor

No, Taco Bell & Chipotle don’t count. When your state borders Mexico and some parts are literally a 15 minute drive from the border, you can bet that it has the best Mexican food around.

10. Local Microbreweries

Photo courtesy of Yelp

We’re the original hipsters in that we love our microbreweries.

11. In-N-Out

Two words: animal style.

12. Year-Round Farmers’ Markets

Photo by Nancy Chen

You know you’ve lived in California for all your life when you move to a different state and are surprised when they don’t have year-round fresh produce. Which is a rude awakening. Only in California can you stroll through a farmers’ market in December and find seasonal produce that was grown less than 10 miles away.

13. Jamba Juice

Photo by Bari Bhanga

Let’s be real — Jamba’s $1 happy hours were the best parts of our lives. Smoothies for life.

14. Good Boba

Photo by Jisoo Kim

We know our boba, and we know that the boba in the rest of the country doesn’t even begin to compare.